We're lucky, really. Lucky to have it made it this close to the goal of getting licensed. Lucky that it's not an oral exam anymore. (Ask someone older--that's how they used to do it! Yikes!) Lucky that the internet isn't a baby anymore. It's now a teenager, sometimes unruly, but extremely helpful if you know how to ask.
Here are a few places where social work exam guidance is easy:
Blogs. You're on one. Also check out Pass the ASWB Exam and the blogs listed on the sidebar there. Lots of people working to pass, already having passed, about to pass, all offering wisdom.
Podcasts. You don't always have to be reading and taking practice tests. Listening works too! Start with The Social Work Podcast and go from there.
Magazines. Back to reading now. Take a look at the "Eye on Ethics"' column in Social Work Today--all free, all online, all the kinds of stuff that shows up on the exam.
Wikipedia. A category unto itself. There's nothing like it. Psychology is as good a place as any to begin. The DSM's there. Pretty much everything you need to know is there. Take care--don't get lost!
And you're off!
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Monday, December 1, 2014
Building Blocks: NASW Standards of Practice
Feel like you've got your DSM and Code of Ethics down? Here's a building block of social work exam prep that isn't necessarily part of the foundation...but then, that's not what a building block always is. This one's one of the higher floors, one that you might not get to right away: the NASW Standards of Practice.
Over the years, the NASW has generated thousands of words about how best to go about being a social worker and packed them into this series of guideline brochures. Think about it this way: If you're setting out to write exam questions based in best practices, where do you turn? The Code first, of course. Maybe a textbook or two. But eventually, you're going to find yourself at these practice standards So, while knowing everything contained in each of the brochures just isn't going to happen for you, it's worth browsing around and filling in any big gaps in your social work knowledge. Just about everything gets covered. Here are the standards updated in 2013.
Over the years, the NASW has generated thousands of words about how best to go about being a social worker and packed them into this series of guideline brochures. Think about it this way: If you're setting out to write exam questions based in best practices, where do you turn? The Code first, of course. Maybe a textbook or two. But eventually, you're going to find yourself at these practice standards So, while knowing everything contained in each of the brochures just isn't going to happen for you, it's worth browsing around and filling in any big gaps in your social work knowledge. Just about everything gets covered. Here are the standards updated in 2013.
NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Child Welfare
NASW Standards for Social Work Practice with Clients with Substance Use Disorders
NASW Standards for Social Work Case Management
Best Practice Standards in Social Work Supervision
This is the very stuff that shows up over and over on the exam. So, if you have the time, dig in! Enjoy!
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Building Blocks: The DSM
Diagnosis is going to show up on the licensing exam. It just is. And there's one big book that has all the diagnostic information you could ever hope to find: the DSM. Which DSM are you supposed to use? Depends upon where and when you're taking the exam. In California, DSM-5 questions will appear in December, 2014. For the rest of the ASWB-exam taking world, the exam will switch to DSM-5 in July, 2015.
The trick with studying diagnosis for the social work exam is that there's far too much information for you to possibly hold in one brain. It takes a giant, small-print book to get it all down. First step may be to throw away the giant volume and instead turn to the Desk Reference version ("The Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-5 (TM)," it's called). It's smaller, more to the point, and still contains more info than you'll likely need for the test.
Another way to approach the DSM is to focus on the big diagnoses. If it doesn't show up in regular social work practice, it's pretty unlikely to show up on the exam. Learn anxiety disorders, depression, personality disorders, childhood disorders. But set aside the obscure, the rare, and the stuff you've just never heard of. If by some chance that stuff shows up on the exam, sigh, take your best guess, and move on. Otherwise, you're overstudying, cramming your brain full of unnecessary facts, and generally making life harder than it needs to be. Got it? Get on it!
The trick with studying diagnosis for the social work exam is that there's far too much information for you to possibly hold in one brain. It takes a giant, small-print book to get it all down. First step may be to throw away the giant volume and instead turn to the Desk Reference version ("The Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-5 (TM)," it's called). It's smaller, more to the point, and still contains more info than you'll likely need for the test.
Another way to approach the DSM is to focus on the big diagnoses. If it doesn't show up in regular social work practice, it's pretty unlikely to show up on the exam. Learn anxiety disorders, depression, personality disorders, childhood disorders. But set aside the obscure, the rare, and the stuff you've just never heard of. If by some chance that stuff shows up on the exam, sigh, take your best guess, and move on. Otherwise, you're overstudying, cramming your brain full of unnecessary facts, and generally making life harder than it needs to be. Got it? Get on it!
Friday, September 19, 2014
Building Blocks: The NASW Code of Ethics
You can't construct your fortress of licensedness without some basic building blocks. ("Fortress of licensedness?" I don't even watch "Game of Thrones.") There are a handful of essential elements that go into social work licensing exam readiness. Let's take a look at a big one: the NASW Code of Ethics.
Think of how exam writers must approach coming up with exam questions. (And, by the way, once you're licensed, you can become an exam writer. The ASWB hires pretty regularly. They just announced new hiring on their Facebook page.) "Okay...social work question...blank page...what am I supposed to ask?" They look at the ASWB's exam outlines (available to you on aswb.org; that's another fortress-building element, come to think. Maybe mortar?). They see there's a big section on assessment and diagnosis. They see there's a big section on ethics. "Ethics!" they think. "I know exactly how to get started on those questions. Computer boot up!"
They open of the NASW Code and get started from the top. Section 1.01, "Social Workers Commitment to Clients." Here's what it says:
Okay, so what question would arise from this? Easy! There's even an example ("Examples include..."). A question about reporting abuse and/or threats to self or others. They type. Something about a client situation that may or may not require a report. Something not too obvious. Answers are, in brief, A. Report, B. Report not necessary, plus two "distractors"--answers that are appealing, splitting the difference between the basic "yes" and "no" answers. Like this: C. Wait to see if client continues with behavior before making a report. (Would that ever be the right way to go? Either something's reportable or it's not.) D. Seek supervision (Sometimes this is the right way to go. But as a soon-to-be licensed social worker, you should probably have a handle on reportability questions--at least on the exam.)
And so a licensing exam question is born. You'll see one just like it on the real exam--be surprised if you don't! And now you're ready for it. Yay!
Think of how exam writers must approach coming up with exam questions. (And, by the way, once you're licensed, you can become an exam writer. The ASWB hires pretty regularly. They just announced new hiring on their Facebook page.) "Okay...social work question...blank page...what am I supposed to ask?" They look at the ASWB's exam outlines (available to you on aswb.org; that's another fortress-building element, come to think. Maybe mortar?). They see there's a big section on assessment and diagnosis. They see there's a big section on ethics. "Ethics!" they think. "I know exactly how to get started on those questions. Computer boot up!"
They open of the NASW Code and get started from the top. Section 1.01, "Social Workers Commitment to Clients." Here's what it says:
Social workers' primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients. In general, clients' interests are primary. However, social workers' responsibility to the larger society or specific legal obligations may on limited occasions supersede the loyalty owed clients, and clients should be so advised. (Examples include when a social worker is required by law to report that a client has abused a child or has threatened to harm self or others.)
Okay, so what question would arise from this? Easy! There's even an example ("Examples include..."). A question about reporting abuse and/or threats to self or others. They type. Something about a client situation that may or may not require a report. Something not too obvious. Answers are, in brief, A. Report, B. Report not necessary, plus two "distractors"--answers that are appealing, splitting the difference between the basic "yes" and "no" answers. Like this: C. Wait to see if client continues with behavior before making a report. (Would that ever be the right way to go? Either something's reportable or it's not.) D. Seek supervision (Sometimes this is the right way to go. But as a soon-to-be licensed social worker, you should probably have a handle on reportability questions--at least on the exam.)
And so a licensing exam question is born. You'll see one just like it on the real exam--be surprised if you don't! And now you're ready for it. Yay!
Monday, September 1, 2014
Social Work Exam Study Guides
You spend a lot of money preparing for the social work licensing exam. How much of that spending is actually necessary? Hard to tell. People spend upwards of $800 on exam prep packages and don't pass. People spend next to nothing and ace the test. It's not about what you spend. It's about how ready you are when you go in to take the exam. You're studying to be a licensed social worker, not a stock broker. The amount you spend shouldn't exceed what you expect to make in a fairly short amount of time.
So what's essential to have to prep? You probably don't need one of the expensive study guides. The ASWB publishes for free on their website content outlines for each of the exams (clinical, masters, etc.). This lays out what you can expect to see on the test. All the pricey study guides do is fill in the some of the info--info you can easily fill in yourself for free with the help of the machine you're reading right now. The outline includes ethics? Read the NASW Code of Ethics. It's free on the net. The outline includes diagnosis. Well, you've probably got a DSM handy somewhere. Or can borrow one. You don't need to pay someone to summarize DSM diagnoses for you.
Also, what about all those textbooks from school? They should come in handy too.
You get the idea. Save the money for a massage. Maybe some practice tests. Take care of yourself. Be realistic about how challenging the exam is. It's passable. You don't have to baby yourself. And you don't have to go broke passing it. All good news, I hope!
So what's essential to have to prep? You probably don't need one of the expensive study guides. The ASWB publishes for free on their website content outlines for each of the exams (clinical, masters, etc.). This lays out what you can expect to see on the test. All the pricey study guides do is fill in the some of the info--info you can easily fill in yourself for free with the help of the machine you're reading right now. The outline includes ethics? Read the NASW Code of Ethics. It's free on the net. The outline includes diagnosis. Well, you've probably got a DSM handy somewhere. Or can borrow one. You don't need to pay someone to summarize DSM diagnoses for you.
Also, what about all those textbooks from school? They should come in handy too.
You get the idea. Save the money for a massage. Maybe some practice tests. Take care of yourself. Be realistic about how challenging the exam is. It's passable. You don't have to baby yourself. And you don't have to go broke passing it. All good news, I hope!
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
"I Don't Want to Study for the Social Work Exam!"
By the time you're preparing for the social work licensing exam, you've been through lots and lots and lots of school. You've studied--and passed!--lots and lots and lots of tests. You're probably (hopefully!) working. Probably for not so much money. You're a social worker through and through. You walk the walk, you talk the talk. And now they want you to spend a bunch of money and time and stress yourself out taking a giant licensing exam. For most social workers, the first, loudest, and maybe most rational response is I DON'T WANNA!
Who can blame you? But here's the thing: you probably didn't want to do a bunch of the stuff you had to do to get this far--especially tests--especially finals! But you did it. This could be the last big exam you're ever asked to take. And with this one, the reward isn't just a better grade, or moving on from junior to senior year. With this one you get a social work license. You advance your career. You achieve a long-sought goal.
Remember when you started in social work how licensed social workers seemed like these almost mythical figures? (At least they did to me.) Well, now that's almost you!
All you have to do is put in some hours, learn (mostly relearn) some basic social work material, and get yourself emotionally and physically prepared for the exam. Of course you don't want to. And you don't have to! But should you choose to (and I think you will). Take that frustration and stress and picture how it will dissolve the moment you finish the exam, hit the submit button, and get that instant result: PASS
That will be you. You can do it. It's just a matter of time.
Who can blame you? But here's the thing: you probably didn't want to do a bunch of the stuff you had to do to get this far--especially tests--especially finals! But you did it. This could be the last big exam you're ever asked to take. And with this one, the reward isn't just a better grade, or moving on from junior to senior year. With this one you get a social work license. You advance your career. You achieve a long-sought goal.
Remember when you started in social work how licensed social workers seemed like these almost mythical figures? (At least they did to me.) Well, now that's almost you!
All you have to do is put in some hours, learn (mostly relearn) some basic social work material, and get yourself emotionally and physically prepared for the exam. Of course you don't want to. And you don't have to! But should you choose to (and I think you will). Take that frustration and stress and picture how it will dissolve the moment you finish the exam, hit the submit button, and get that instant result: PASS
That will be you. You can do it. It's just a matter of time.
Friday, August 22, 2014
The Very Most Basic Thing to Do to Prepare for the Social Work Exam
What's the very most basic thing you can do to prepare for the social work licensing exam? Other than get your MSW...other than understanding the basics about how multiple-choice exams operate...other than scheduling your exam and getting some sleep. The very most basic thing you can do setting out on your exam prep journey: Review the NASW Code of Ethics. Do you have a copy? They passed them out at graduation where I went to school. No copy? No matter. The whole thing is on the web, easily accessed with a click. Read it through. So many of the decisions you'll be faced with on the social work exam are rooted in the code. Getting well-versed in the basics of social work is the most basic thing you can do to prepare for the exam!
Can't bear to read it over right now? Then before you start on practice questions, just look at these brief, brief excerpt and you're on your way!
Can't bear to read it over right now? Then before you start on practice questions, just look at these brief, brief excerpt and you're on your way!
The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. These core values, embraced by social workers throughout the profession’s history, are the foundation of social work’s unique purpose and perspective:
- service
- social justice
- dignity and worth of the person
- importance of human relationships
- integrity
- competence.
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